Retaking IS stronghold in Syria priority: France

Paris, Jan 12 (IANS) French President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday that retaking Rakka, an Islamic State (IS) stronghold in northern Syria, remains "a priority target".

Chairing a defense council at the Elysee Palace, Hollande reviewed situation in Syria where French troops joined US-led military operation to combat the terrorists in the conflict-torn country, Xinhua news agency reported.

Hollande discussed "the means to prepare for Rakka's reconquest as soon as possible".

France was one of the first European countries to join the US-led coalition against IS. Its fighter jets bombed the group in Iraq in 2014.